Something I do for my full bust and belly is make different sizes for the front and back. Maybe you could try that? Make a smaller size for your front and a larger size for your booty? Then the legs might not turn out so large 🤷♀️
I also have a big difference between my waist and hips (along with a belly and big thighs). Doing a fly and zip is exactly what I do, as someone with 3-4 size difference between my waist and hips. I've tried the Jackie trousers by By Hand London and wasn't a fan. My tried and true is the Muna and Broad Noice Jeans that I simplify and make pants from (so sans rivets and top stitching, etc). Everything I have read in my research for getting the perfect pants fit has mentioned adding a zip or fly will be the best way to get a good fit for my waist and hip difference. With my specific shape, I have a smaller waist and then a short dramatic flair to the fullness of my hips. For that, I always add short and wide darts to the back. I also use a curved back waistband as well. The last change I make is extending the crotch curve by half an inch. (Side note, I tried Top Down Center Out but it did not work for my body shape and size).
I've heard good things about Muna and Broad! Thank you for the recommendation. I've suspected that some extreme darting will be necessary on more tailored pants, but I've felt a bit intimidated about tackling a fly zip closure... I guess that will be part two!
@@OdessaDenby Their Noice jeans pattern is so good! And I was surprised that i only needed the back darts to get a really good fit! That wasn't in the pattern, it's something I added to my pattern. It can be intimidating for sure, but it's so worth it to have pants that feel and look nice. I also like the sewalong for this pattern, it makes it less intimidating.
I don't hate pants unless they don't fit, which is most off the rack ones. I've found the cashmerette calder pants to be an amazing pattern. I've made both the pants and shorts, though i made mine Bermudas for personal comfort. If anyone is looking for a curvy pattern company i recommend them.
I recently got Ahead of the Curve from Cashmerette's creator and there is a more tailored pants patterns that I might try for part two of this experiment!
I haven't made any Sewlibrated pants but what I have made has fantastic assembly instructions. Being built like a triangle definitely makes me avoid sewing pants at all costs. 😅
Most patterns don't accommodate that! I'm part of the triangle club too 😂 I'm determined to find some pants that are functional for me at least some of the time!
The only pants that I've ever made are pj pant style that I made for my young adult guy for a couple of cosplays. I haven't had the courage to make myself any yet. I have a couple of patterns, but need to gather the bravery to attack them. Those look quite good. As you make more, you will adjust as needed and eventually come up with the perfect pattern for you. Thanks for sharing your journey. I wish you a summer without thigh chafe and less mosquito bites in sensitive areas.
I definitely need to make some comfy PJs pants too! If you can do that, you can definitely handle one of these patterns. But yes, I plan on trying and tweaking more pants patterns, hence my optimistic "part 1" 😉 When will there be a part 2? No idea, haha
I was frustrated with the fit of purchased pants and went and self-drafted a pair of wide-legged back-elasticated trousers (my booty is my fit challenge) Now I love having pants that fit!
A proper fit makes such a huge difference! I'm happy you were able to design a late that works for you~ While I have drafted a number of skirts and dresses, I wasn't confident in my ability to draft trousers, at least not without making a few pairs first! These two patterns taught me a lot about construction, so I may give it a go in the future!
Have you thought about trying The Stitchery's Split-Side Pants? She takes the basic concept of the Coquelicot skirt lace-up-and-tie and figures out how to apply it to pants. Could be worth exploring, I am also pear shaped and have been curious to try them. (I'd link but I fear my comment being eaten by youtube)
I have! I've made a couple of petticoat skirts and I've seen a pants version by another creator. While intriguing, I think they tend to be more loosey-goosey like the culottes, which I'm now sure I need more of right now.
Love the comparison of pattern companies, very informative. For a better waist fit: try zipper (I prefer mine in the back) or drawstring + elastication. I find that gives me the best results for having fit as well as comfort :)
I second the rec for Muna and Broad. I've had some good luck with their pants, even though they fit towards more apple than me - I've made the Birchgrove pants and the Noice jeans. I did have to grade between sizes to get the waist to fit for the jeans, and could maybe have taken them in even more. For the Birchgrove pants I just cranked down the elastic and they look pretty good. I'm doing another run on the Birchgrove right now, but giving the top down, center out method a try to see if I can get them even better. I haven't actually seen the results yet so I'm not sure I can recommend, but @thecrookedhem has a really excellent tutorial series that I'm following and it looks really promising and pleasantly body neutral.
Thanks for the details! I have noticed that most plus patterns are drafted for apple shapes... So I doubt I'll ever find one I don't have to adjust! Maybe someday I'll release my own pear-shaped pattern line. Haha, I doubt I'll ever have the skill level for that, but it would be nice to see patterns organized by body shape, not just body size.
I totally get it about fitting large hips and a smaller waist. I also have large thighs. I'm a pants hater for a lot of the very same reasons as you were. Also, I'm old and I often have a hard time walking. So when I have one of those times when I need to rush to the bathroom, lifting skirts take less time than trying to pull down pants. Do you follow Charlie @thestitchery? She has gotten slightly well known for her split side skirts. She had been asked if she had tried her technique on pants, so she decided to see if the technique would work with pants. She made a video about her experiments. Be aware that Charlie doesn't actually draft patterns, so she has none to sell. She simply "wings it." Her videos are not really tutorials, but she does tell you what she's doing as she's doing it. I don't know if that would interest you, but it's a suggestion.
For mobility issues, skirts can really help. When I was booted up for a broken ankle a few years ago I definitely appreciated the convenience of skirts! I've had her pants style suggested to me-- while I don't mind drafting and have done quite a number of drape and draft projects, including an 18th-century style petticoat, which seems to be the concept she's building on, I'm not sure if that style is right for me. I think that, like the culottes, they may end up being a bit too wide legged and swishy to be of practical use. In which case, I'd usually just rather wear a skirt!
Loved this so much.❤
They are lovely trousers ❤
Something I do for my full bust and belly is make different sizes for the front and back. Maybe you could try that? Make a smaller size for your front and a larger size for your booty? Then the legs might not turn out so large 🤷♀️
Hmm, that's an interesting idea! For patterns like the culottes, it might be a useful hack
yay feeling powerful due to enormous pants!
Is this a universal sensation?
@@OdessaDenby quite possibly! Billowing magnificently while being comfy and having a full range of motion is a whole vibe :)
I also have a big difference between my waist and hips (along with a belly and big thighs). Doing a fly and zip is exactly what I do, as someone with 3-4 size difference between my waist and hips. I've tried the Jackie trousers by By Hand London and wasn't a fan. My tried and true is the Muna and Broad Noice Jeans that I simplify and make pants from (so sans rivets and top stitching, etc).
Everything I have read in my research for getting the perfect pants fit has mentioned adding a zip or fly will be the best way to get a good fit for my waist and hip difference. With my specific shape, I have a smaller waist and then a short dramatic flair to the fullness of my hips. For that, I always add short and wide darts to the back. I also use a curved back waistband as well. The last change I make is extending the crotch curve by half an inch. (Side note, I tried Top Down Center Out but it did not work for my body shape and size).
I've heard good things about Muna and Broad! Thank you for the recommendation.
I've suspected that some extreme darting will be necessary on more tailored pants, but I've felt a bit intimidated about tackling a fly zip closure... I guess that will be part two!
@@OdessaDenby Their Noice jeans pattern is so good! And I was surprised that i only needed the back darts to get a really good fit! That wasn't in the pattern, it's something I added to my pattern. It can be intimidating for sure, but it's so worth it to have pants that feel and look nice. I also like the sewalong for this pattern, it makes it less intimidating.
I don't hate pants unless they don't fit, which is most off the rack ones. I've found the cashmerette calder pants to be an amazing pattern. I've made both the pants and shorts, though i made mine Bermudas for personal comfort. If anyone is looking for a curvy pattern company i recommend them.
I recently got Ahead of the Curve from Cashmerette's creator and there is a more tailored pants patterns that I might try for part two of this experiment!
@@OdessaDenby yeah I have the book too but haven't tried any of the patterns yet. I sew pretty slow.
I haven't made any Sewlibrated pants but what I have made has fantastic assembly instructions. Being built like a triangle definitely makes me avoid sewing pants at all costs. 😅
Most patterns don't accommodate that! I'm part of the triangle club too 😂
I'm determined to find some pants that are functional for me at least some of the time!
The only pants that I've ever made are pj pant style that I made for my young adult guy for a couple of cosplays. I haven't had the courage to make myself any yet. I have a couple of patterns, but need to gather the bravery to attack them. Those look quite good. As you make more, you will adjust as needed and eventually come up with the perfect pattern for you. Thanks for sharing your journey. I wish you a summer without thigh chafe and less mosquito bites in sensitive areas.
I definitely need to make some comfy PJs pants too! If you can do that, you can definitely handle one of these patterns.
But yes, I plan on trying and tweaking more pants patterns, hence my optimistic "part 1" 😉
When will there be a part 2? No idea, haha
I was frustrated with the fit of purchased pants and went and self-drafted a pair of wide-legged back-elasticated trousers (my booty is my fit challenge) Now I love having pants that fit!
A proper fit makes such a huge difference! I'm happy you were able to design a late that works for you~
While I have drafted a number of skirts and dresses, I wasn't confident in my ability to draft trousers, at least not without making a few pairs first! These two patterns taught me a lot about construction, so I may give it a go in the future!
Have you thought about trying The Stitchery's Split-Side Pants? She takes the basic concept of the Coquelicot skirt lace-up-and-tie and figures out how to apply it to pants. Could be worth exploring, I am also pear shaped and have been curious to try them. (I'd link but I fear my comment being eaten by youtube)
Have you seen 18th century petticoats with hip openings instead of flys? I think you could use the same technique with pants.
I have! I've made a couple of petticoat skirts and I've seen a pants version by another creator. While intriguing, I think they tend to be more loosey-goosey like the culottes, which I'm now sure I need more of right now.
Love the comparison of pattern companies, very informative.
For a better waist fit: try zipper (I prefer mine in the back) or drawstring + elastication. I find that gives me the best results for having fit as well as comfort :)
Hmm... I've never tried a zip in the back! That's definitely a different option
I've only done them in the back or in the side so far, and I've had good experience with it.
I second the rec for Muna and Broad. I've had some good luck with their pants, even though they fit towards more apple than me - I've made the Birchgrove pants and the Noice jeans. I did have to grade between sizes to get the waist to fit for the jeans, and could maybe have taken them in even more. For the Birchgrove pants I just cranked down the elastic and they look pretty good. I'm doing another run on the Birchgrove right now, but giving the top down, center out method a try to see if I can get them even better. I haven't actually seen the results yet so I'm not sure I can recommend, but @thecrookedhem has a really excellent tutorial series that I'm following and it looks really promising and pleasantly body neutral.
Thanks for the details! I have noticed that most plus patterns are drafted for apple shapes... So I doubt I'll ever find one I don't have to adjust!
Maybe someday I'll release my own pear-shaped pattern line. Haha, I doubt I'll ever have the skill level for that, but it would be nice to see patterns organized by body shape, not just body size.
I totally get it about fitting large hips and a smaller waist. I also have large thighs. I'm a pants hater for a lot of the very same reasons as you were. Also, I'm old and I often have a hard time walking. So when I have one of those times when I need to rush to the bathroom, lifting skirts take less time than trying to pull down pants. Do you follow Charlie @thestitchery? She has gotten slightly well known for her split side skirts. She had been asked if she had tried her technique on pants, so she decided to see if the technique would work with pants. She made a video about her experiments. Be aware that Charlie doesn't actually draft patterns, so she has none to sell. She simply "wings it." Her videos are not really tutorials, but she does tell you what she's doing as she's doing it. I don't know if that would interest you, but it's a suggestion.
For mobility issues, skirts can really help. When I was booted up for a broken ankle a few years ago I definitely appreciated the convenience of skirts!
I've had her pants style suggested to me-- while I don't mind drafting and have done quite a number of drape and draft projects, including an 18th-century style petticoat, which seems to be the concept she's building on, I'm not sure if that style is right for me. I think that, like the culottes, they may end up being a bit too wide legged and swishy to be of practical use. In which case, I'd usually just rather wear a skirt!
I hate pants as well. I cannot find a flatering pair off the rack ever.
Fast fashion cuts so many corners, fit is definitely a huge issue for so many people because of it!
I have fit issues with pants as well. I am short waisted and do not have a defined waist.
@@violetsidhemaking your own might be worthwhile for you! I always need a really high rise because my ribcage is quite short too.
I do not HATE pants, but I highly prefer skirts and dresses; they are so much easier to buy for me than pants are…
They are a lot easier to fit! I actually recommend skirts to beginning sewists because there are fewer fit issues to fiddle with
I hate wearing trousers or pants, and have not owned any for at least ten years.
I completely understand... Pants are leg prisons, after all